9 Days (7 days on trek) Kilimanjaro – Machame Route (Group tour)

You are welcome to arrive at any time in your pre-booked Arusha accommodation to meet the group for tour briefing and leisure. Alternatively, join our complimentary shared transfer as advised during the booking stage on the arrival time of other passengers at Kilimanjaro Airport.

Your tour guide will inspect your equipment to make sure you have all you need for a smooth trip.

Accommodation: Mount Meru Hotel

Hike Mt. Kilimanjaro’s lower slopes to Machame Camp.

The majority of the day is spent on Mt. Kilimanjaro’s beautiful and fascinating forested slopes, the most of which are classified as rainforests.

If it rains, the trail may get wet and muddy.

Begin at the Machame Gate, where the group will register and begin hiking. Mt. Kilimanjaro’s slopes are a rainforest zone; therefore routes may be damp and muddy. Keep an eye out for black and white colobus monkeys and exotic birds. On the first day of trekking, the group travels a great distance at a gentle incline. Finish the day with a visit to the Machame Campsite, which overlooks the rainforest.

Accommodation: Machame Camp

Hike through lower alpine moorland to Shira 2 camp and enjoy wonderful views of Kibo Peak.

Machame Camp to Shira 2 Camp

Begin with a challenging climb to the forest’s edge. Climb the upper ridge and have a rest. Before reaching camp, continue climbing to Shira Cathedral and enjoy the views of the peaks.

Accommodation: Shira 2 Camp

Hike to Barranco Camp via Lava Tower. Enjoy the fantastic view of Western Breach and the Breach Wall.

Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower

From Shira 2 Camp, steadily climb across the rocky terrain to the Lava Tower (4600m/15,092 ft). The route becomes more difficult and steeper. Some hikers may feel weak or short of breath due to the altitude, so proceed slowly—”pole pole” as they say in Swahili—to prevent exacerbating the symptoms.

Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

From the Lava Tower, descend 650 metres (2133 feet) to the Great Barranco Valley. Hike for around two hours to reach the valley, adjust to the elevation, and enjoy the views of the Western Breach and Breach Wall along the route. As a reward for the long walk of the day, arrive in Barranco Camp and take in the gorgeous scenery. The Breach Wall surrounds the Camp on three sides, and the region offers stunning views of hanging glaciers and the Kibo massif.

Accommodation: Barranco Camp

The summit trek begins around midnight. Conquer the main crater rim, then cross the scree and snow to reach Uhuru Peak. Descend to Mweka Camp.

This segment is the longest and most mentally and physically demanding of the journey. But the thrill of conquering Kilimanjaro will be with you forever.

Barafu Camp to Stella Point

Barafu Camp – Stella Point6h4km

Today’s wake-up call is at 11 p.m. to be at Stella Point (5756m, 18,885 ft) in time for the stunning dawn (weather permitting). Enjoy a bite and a warm drink as you prepare for the dark journey up the northwest scree. Proceed slowly as the terrain is rocky and difficult, passing between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers before arriving at Stella Point.

Stella Point to Summit

Stella Point – Uhuru1h-1h30m1km

Begin the 1-hour, slow hike to Uhuru Peak (5895m, 19341 ft) over the snow-covered route. Temperatures near the peak can vary from -23°C (-9°F) in the morning to just below freezing overnight. Finally, we arrive at the summit! Take a deep breath and enjoy your successful climb.

Summit to Mweka Camp

 Uhuru – Mweka Camp4h-6h12km

Begin the descent from the peak to the Barafu camp, where the group will pack up and have a brief respite. The descent will follow the same rock and scree trail as the ascent, passing through moorland and forest landscapes. Arrive at Mweka Hut late in the afternoon.

Accommodation: Mweka Hut

Hike downhill to Mweka Gate. Enjoy the lower altitude and views of Mt Kilimanjaro’s forested slopes. Take caution because the route may be muddy. From the Mweka Gate, you will descend into the Mweka settlement for lunch, which is typically a muddy one-hour hike. When you arrive in Arusha in the late afternoon, rest or take a well-deserved shower and congratulations beverage.

Accommodation: Mount Meru Hotel

After checking out of your accommodation at 10:00 a.m., travel on your own to the airport for your departing flight. Alternatively, you can join our shared departure based on the departure times of several clients in the group.

If you have booked a safari extension with us, your guide will meet you at the hotel for safari briefing.

 End of our Services